ONE of the South West's most diverse and exciting music festivals will be bigger and better than ever in 2008. This year's Chagstock, an open air music festival held in Dartmoor National Park, will be held on Friday July 11 and Saturday July 12, with discounted tickets available now until the end of April. Chagstock is now in its fifth year. It originated as a private open air festival party put together by a group of friends who love the countryside, making music and having a good time. Last year was the first time the event went public and was a huge success. The organisers say if they ever do make a profit, it will go to charity. This year's festival will have everything from Norwegian flamenco to Australian roots folk. Just two of the highlights will be Devon-based internationally renowned 'Show of Hands' and festival favourites 'Hot House Flowers.' Founder and organiser, Si Ford, said: 'I was very pleased with what we achieved last year and we learnt a great deal. This year will be bigger and better and hopefully drier! 'As the word spreads I am sure more and more people will want to come along. 'We are offering two nights' world-class musical entertainment at a very fair price — and in a very special place. 'We are child friendly, safe, clean and very professionally organised. We provide interesting, affordable food stalls, inexpensive ales and cider in our beer tent, polite, reassuring security, plenty of clean toilets and free drinking water. 'It's a festival where there is space to lay out a picnic rug, put up a couple of deck chairs, let the kids run around, watch the acts, make some new friends and just feast on the vibes and the incomparable location.' Tickets are available now with the 'early bird' discount on offer until April 30. They can be purchased online at http://www.chagstock.ingo">www.chagstock.ingo, at Sally's newsagents in Chagford, Solo Records in Exeter and Rock Hen's Coop in Okehampton. Weekend tickets for adults are £30, £15 for children aged 3 to 14 or £85 for two adults and two children. After April 30 the prices go up to £35, £20 and £95 respectively. Group purchases for ten or more will receive one free full adult ticket. Further information including this year's line-up, photo galleries and the prices for tickets on separate days are available on the website — go to http://www.chagstock.info">www.chagstock.info
